“Amelia” the Quetzalcoatlus

Much like Steggy the Stegosaurus, Amelia the Quetzalcoatlus is also a permanent gift from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Upon its arrival, the model was first featured in the Museum’s Vanished Worlds temporary exhibit without its wings. Exhibits staff and interns successful reattached the wings and permanently installed the model in July 2016.

Unlike Steggy, the Quetzalcoatlus model arrived at the Museum without a name. A month-long public naming competition was held leading up to the final installation. Over 100 unique name suggestions were submitted. The final name was chosen in honor of iconic aviator, Amelia Earhart. Amelia’s story was featured in the Ithaca Journal, Ithaca Voice, Lansing Star, Tompkins Weekly, and WHCU News. Amelia can be found soaring high with an impressive 36-foot wingspan in the Jurassic portion of the Museum’s exhibits.